Historic Building in Wausau

 

SYNOPSIS

      Investigator Blaschka of the WPRS (Wisconsin Paranormal Research Society) contacted a worker at a historic building in Wausau, Wisconsin concerning a report of unexplained activity. After a brief interview by phone and in person, they asked if we would perform an investigation at their business. WPRS agreed and decided to investigate the site. The investigation occurred on September 13th, 2002.

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY THAT WAS REPORTED

      A recorded interview session was conducted on August 30th, 2002 at 8:00AM in the meeting room of the business. Some of the witnesses relayed the following possible paranormal activity to investigator Blaschka. This information was noted and recorded for investigation purposes.

1. Voices of children often heard coming from behind various subjects with no apparent explanation. The children’s voices tend to call out staff’s first names.

2. Child’s voice heard saying “Hello” to one staff member.

3. Unexplainable anomalies occurring with the computer systems in the building.

4. Doors found open of their own accord after they have been closed.

5. Unexplainable anomaly occurred with the telephone system. Voice heard stating, “Is that so” while worker was experiencing anomaly.

6. Phantom footsteps heard walking down ramp leading to meeting room.

7. Knocking noises heard emanating from the basement area.

8. The sounds of trash being thrown into a garbage can next to one person’s desk even though no one threw anything in it.

9. Sounds of children’s voices heard as if they where at play.

INVESTIGATION RESULTS

      The investigation of the building took place on September 13th, 2002 from approximately 7:00PM to 11:30PM. Investigator Blaschka, Roll, Murphy and Ludwig were present. During the investigation several rolls of high-speed black/white and color film was shot in all areas of the building. No anomalies were captured on film. Two (2) hours of “night shot” video was recorded in the photo copy room where previously the doors to the room were found open with no explanation. The video was viewed remotely via CCTV from the south end of the station. No significant anomalies were noted during filming or after review.

      Several temperature readings were obtained and all seemed to be within normal ranges. The entire train depot was scanned with EMF meters and no unusual readings were found. Also the structure was scanned with a Geiger counter. The readings averaged about .03 rads. In conclusion the WPRS did not find any supporting evidence to ascertain whether the building is truly experiencing paranormal activity.

      While it is noted that several credible witnesses have experienced what they believe to be paranormal activity none of our instruments or observations found any strong evidence of such.

      It is a strong possibility that several of the children’s voices that are heard by staff members are coming from a nearby childcare center.

      The sound of footsteps that have been heard may be coming from the west parking lot where several patrons of another business park vehicles. The business is in close proximity to the historic building. This theory was tested by the WPRS and showed that several outside noises can be easily heard through the walls of the building.

      As far as the telephone phenomena, the WPRS feels that it may have been caused by cell phone or radio interference.

      The computer anomalies may have been caused by several program errors. It is reasonable to believe that most of the activity that has occurred at the site has reasonable and logical explanations.

      However, the incident with the doors can not be explained reasonably at this time. It is possible that we may revisit the site in the future at their request.

*Any use or reproduction of this documentation is prohibited without the sole permission of Shawn Blaschka and the WPRS.